Palmitic acid,
also called hexadecanoic acid, is
one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in animals
and plants. It is a white solid that melts at 63.1°C
and its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)14COOH.
As its name tells us, it is found in palm oil but
also in butter, cheese, milk and meat.

Palmitic acid is the first
fatty acid produced during lipogenesis and from which
longer fatty acids can be produced.